ATA News from Albania, 96-09-24

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ACCEPTS BROJKA RESIGNATION

[02] GOOD BEGINNING OF COOPERATION AND RELATIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND SAN MARINO

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] ALBANIAN SOCIALISTS HAVE NOT APPROVED CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGN

[05] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TODAY BACKED BY CE EURO-DEPUTIES-Deutsche Welle

[06] PASOK VICTORY TO STRENGTHEN GREEK-ALBANIAN TIES- Pangallos and Shehu

[07] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ABROGATES ARTICLE 16 OF LAW "ON ELECTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT"

[08] NATIONAL ROAD BLOCKED, FIVE POLICEMEN INJURED IN TIRANA

[09] ALBANIAN SOCIALISTS SHOULD TAKE UP THEIR SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

[10] PROSECUTOR ASKS 183 YEARS IN JAIL FOR EX-SENIOR OFFICIALS OF PLA

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ACCEPTS BROJKA RESIGNATION

Albert Brojka, Minister of Public Works, Territorial Arrangement and Tourism resigned from his post on Monday, spokesman of this ministry reported.

Brojka motivated his resignation from this post with the fact that he is nominated by the Democratic Party (DP) for the post of Tirana Municipality chairman.

Brojka holds at the same time the post of the chairman of DP Tirana section and that of the Foreign Secretary of this party.

Brojka, who is considered one of the most completed figures of the DP, is rivaled for the post of Tirana mayor by the former famous basketball player, Agim Fagu, nominated by the Socialist Party, and President of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka. /pas/mt/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] GOOD BEGINNING OF COOPERATION AND RELATIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND SAN MARINO

"Having an absolute political predisposition for the development of the relations and cooperation in various fields, we should find concrete ways to make it efficient, stressed Shehu in his meeting with San Marino delegation on Monday.

Shehu reconfirmed that the priority of the foreign policy of Albania is its fast and dignified integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

He considered of special importance the cooperation with the international bodies, including Albania and San Marino, and the current situation of bilateral relations with neighboring countries, with the Kosova issue occupying a special place.

San Marino State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Gatti, confirmed that there were many fields of mutual interest in the relations between the two countries, including tourism, banking system, trade, telecommunication, small and medium business, philately and other fields.

"Of important importance is to avoid bureaucracies in our relations, which can be easily done in the conditions of being small states. In this way we can open way to a quicker and more concrete communication", stressed Gatti. /s.sh/mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

The paper carries a commentary of Albanian Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu about PASOK's victory in Greece, under the title:"Our relations will improve further".

The paper carries yesterday's proceedings of the 4th Assembly of the DP Youth Forum and President Berisha's address on this occasion entitled:"Your vision 2000, the democratic Albania".

Zeri i Popullit carries the editorial :"Anti-democratic provoking and offending attitude of the President of the Republic towards the Albanian electorate".

The paper carries the opening of the electoral campaign of the DP entitled:"Berisha and Meksi openly violate the electoral law". It carries the political article:"To return to the polls". The paper carries an interview with the secretary general of the SP, Rexhep Mejdani, entitled:"Free and fair elections redimension national union".

Republika carries the article:"The campaign suspends opening of new kiosks". The paper carries the article: "The campaign shocks RTV and Zeri i Popullit".

Poli i Qendres carries the article entitled: "Berisha engaged in campaign, illegal but revolutionary". The paper carries the article:"Electoral staff of N. Ceka (DAP leader) organised".

Lajmi i Dites carries President Berisha's address at the congress of the DP Youth Forum entitled:"Berisha: The History of youth and freedom in Albania is one and the same".

Rilindja carries the article:"'Outer wall' of sanctions of special significance for Kosova". The paper carries the article:"Optimism on the relations between Athens and Tirana".

Tribuna carries the article :Vision 2000, Albania in the west". The paper carries the article "The DP- the engine of the Albanian west policy".

Albania carries the article :"The socialists again win in Greece". The paper carries the article:"The SDP has not payed off the May 26 elections".

Dita Informacion carries the article:"Premier Meksi runs the anti- contraband operation in Durres". The paper carries the article:"Lord Finsberg declares the results of his visit to Albania".

Gazeta Shqiptare carries the article:"The four pretenders for the Tirana municipality unfold promises". The paper carries the article:"SP: Berisha violates the law". jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN SOCIALISTS HAVE NOT APPROVED CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Referring to the SP newspaper and "Poli i Qendres", their candidatures were not ready to be set up until late and not even to date in to start the electoral campaign which has already been started by the Albanian Democratic Party.

Further on, the independent daily paper explains that 140 that 63 seats, must be selected from the SP Leading Committees in SP candidatures for 63 seats must be selected by the SP Leading Committees in districts. But this is not done yet. There are chosen only two of them until now, writes the paper.

"The delay of the SP campaign can be clearly explained by the current apathy of the Presidency of this party, comments finally "Koha Jone". /jz/mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TODAY BACKED BY CE EURO-DEPUTIES-Deutsche Welle

Welle says that the Albanian government and the democratic forces supporting it were backed today by the Euro-deputies who could speak in the discussion on Albania which was cut short because of technical reasons.

"Nothing reminded you of the past debate on Albania in the Council of Europe with mass criticism against Albania not ending", the radio says.

Regarding the discussions in the CE, Deutsche Welle adds:"Immediately after the report presented by Euro-deputy Ruf, the floor was taken by the head of the CE delegation to Europe, Lord Finsberg, who reported that in the meantime works in Albania had advanced also in comparison with the situation described in the report".

The radio cites Finsberg as saying that on September 12, Albania's parliament agreed to most of the important amendments in the genocide, media and electoral laws.

Finsberg called on Albanian socialists to return to parliament, which approved these amendments, as it should now work for the constitution.

"As always when it is about Albania, the floor was asked by the reporter of the juridical commission on Albania, Domenique Columberg, who had once been a cause for blocking Albania's membership to the CE.

The October 20 elections will really be a test for Albania, he said. But, now, it has made a prominent progress. Therefore, the CE mission and intervention can be considered very successful", Welle concludes. lt/a/jz/pas/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PASOK VICTORY TO STRENGTHEN GREEK-ALBANIAN TIES- Pangallos and Shehu

Several hours after the declaration of PASOK's victory in the parliamentary elections of Greece, asked by radio BBC what was the importance of this victory for the Greek-Albanian relations, Pangallos responded: "We will continue the friendly policy with Albania, a policy which has so far been fruitful. We have still much to do. We will continue to work in this way and I believe the Albanian leaders will as well respond as so far" .

Albanian deputy Premier Tritan Shehu in a commentary for BBC said that PASOK's victory was a vote the Greek people gave Simitis for another four year term.

"I am convinced that Simitis will contribute to the further strengthening of the Albanian-Greek relations as in the past. I am convinced that our relations will be promoted. We are optimistic because we have many common interests which have to do not only with the relations between our two countries but also with the stability in the region", Shehu said.

The relations between Albania and Greece largely have improved especially during 1996. Last March the Greek President, Stephanopoulos, visited Albania. During the visit, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, Good Neighbourliness and Security was signed between the Republic of Albania and the Greek Republic.

By the end of August Greek Foreign Minister Pangallos also visited Albania for the second time this year. In the meeting with Albanian President Sali Berisha they agreed that the two countries gave a new impulse to the Cross Border programme, financed by the European Union for the region's infrastructure.

They also agreed to open the Albanian language chair in Athens and a Greek college in Tirana. Special attention was devoted to the liberalisation of free movement in the border areas and the problem of legalising the Albanian immigrants in Greece, whose number is thought to reach 300.000.

During the meeting, Pangallos promised that after two-three months the Greek authorities could see to the possibility of beginning the procedure for seasonal employment in Greece which would substantially reduce the influx of the Albanian workers crossing the border illegally. pas/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ABROGATES ARTICLE 16 OF LAW "ON ELECTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT"

The decision number 34 is taken from the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania.

The law becomes: "Against the decisions of the Central Election Commission can be sued complaints in the Constitutional Court within three days after their publication. The Constitutional Court examines the complaint within three days and issues decision of irrevocable form."

The green light is now opened for electoral subjects to sue complaints against decisions of the Central Election Commission. pas/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] NATIONAL ROAD BLOCKED, FIVE POLICEMEN INJURED IN TIRANA

This happened today, Tuesday at 6.15 hours a.m. in Lapraka quarter in Tirana. A crowd of 200 people had built a "barricade" and blocked the national road with stones, concrete pieces, logs and other materials, said spokesman of Interior Ministry.

Police have called to the agitated citizens to calmly spread and free the road. But stones and strong materials were thrown to the police forces of Commissariat No 3.

After this resistance and after repeating several times their demand to open the national road, police intervened according its competencies.

The spokesman said that the confrontation resulted in injury of five policemen and four citizens. Some people were accompanied to the police station and legal procedure has started against them.

An administrative order of the Tirana Municipality based on a decision of the Appeal Court, which decided immediate release of forcefully occupied sites has been the catalyst of the blocking of national road in the outskirts of Tirana. kled/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN SOCIALISTS SHOULD TAKE UP THEIR SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

The Assembly unanimously approved without voting the credentials of the new Albanian Parliament delegation close to the CE, by wishing them welcome.

The Socialist deputy Mr Rufi in a report about the activities of the Bureau read a report of the Ad hoc Commission which visited Albania from August 27-30, 1996.

"After the decision taken from the Bureau to send an Ad hoc Commission" he said "we paid a visit to Albania from August 27-30, and held fruitful talks in high spirit of responsibility. All members of the Ad hoc Commission found the readiness of Albanian authorities for cooperation."

Rufi stressed: "It is the opinion of all members of the commission that boycott is unacceptable, if used as a tactical instrument in service of a given strategy."

Regarding the problem of practical preparations of local elections Rufi said that "the CE Parliamentary Assembly will have, as agreed with the OSCE, the leadership of the organisation and monitoring. I appreciate our decision in offering our contribution in this process."

Lord Fisnsberg said that "The report of Rufi was issued with the consensus of all members of the Ad hoc Commission and all representatives of the political groupings in the CE. I can tell you with pleasure that most of our proposals have been realised now by the Albanian Parliament. The law on genocide has been amended, the new law on public gatherings has also been passed, the structure of election commission has been changed and they have agreed on modalities how media will cover the election campaign for the opposition and the ruling party. I wish to congratulate the Albanian authorities for their commitment in realising all these changes in such a short time."

Addressing to Albanian Socialists he said "It was this parliament which realised all these amendments in the line of the round table of political parties and our conclusions. You should take up your seats in the Parliament to contribute in Albanian legislation."

The Social Democratic deputy Haak, chief in Bundestag for relations with Albania said "I quite agree with the report of Ad hoc Commission. We should support without reserves all East and Central European countries. In Albania's case the results have been notable. We should believe that the future elections will be free and fair."

The Turkish deputy Tanik, said that Albania's changes are really impressive. We all should contribute and support without reserves Albania.

Deputy Columberg said that Albania has made notable changes regarding the fulfillment of commitment and recommendations of the CE. "General opinion is that the engagement of Albanian authorities has been maximal. It succeeded in realising the participation of all political forces in local elections."

Columberg concluded by inviting the Socialist Party to take up its place in the Albanian delegation in the CE Parliamentary Assembly and in Albanian Parliament. ssh/kled/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PROSECUTOR ASKS 183 YEARS IN JAIL FOR EX-SENIOR OFFICIALS OF PLA

The defendants are Lenka Cuko, Llambi Gegprifti and Irakli Vero former chairman of the Executive Committee respectively in Lushnja, Tirana and Fier, Idajet Beqiri former chairman of Kruja Court, Agron Tafa, Sulejmani Abazi and Veiz Haderiformer chairmen of the secret police respectively in Kruja, Tropoja and Saranda, Nazmi Domi former director of Tirana Department in Interior Ministry and Shkelzen Bajraktari former director of Department 8 in Interior Ministry.

The prosecutor asked for Domi, Gegprifti and Bajraktari 25 years in jail, for Vero and Cuko 20, for Tafa and Abazi 15 and for Beqiri 18 years in jail.

Skeraj found them guilty for their activity according to the evidence he had in his disposal and based on the denouncing sued by the Albanian Intellectuals Forum which denounced 36 people.

They are charged with "acting against the law and on basis of passion and unjust orders while in high state and party posts."

According the denouncement these ex-senior officials of the communist dictatorship have realised internments and expulsion against the then constitution and the laws in power.

These nine, have signed many report-proposals for political revenge. The next session will continue Friday.

Some defendants besides their senior posts in the PLA Polit Bureau and Central Committee have also exercised other important duties for the time in the districts of Shkodra, Kukesi, Durresi and Lushnja or on the bordering areas where the cases of genocide internment and expulsion have been numerous. kled/fh/sh/

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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